Dennis Ross Stepping Down

Dennis Ross, United States President Barack Obama's advisor on Middle East affairs, announced, Thursday, that he is stepping down. Ross originally planned to work in his current capacity for two years, but stayed on, following the "Arab Spring" revolts that have brought about government changes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

A White House statement cited Ross for "an extraordinary record of public service," calling him "a critical member of the president's team for nearly three years".